The term "seldom" is not frequently used in the Bible, but the concept it represents—something that occurs infrequently or rarely—can be found throughout Scripture. The Bible often uses different words or phrases to convey the idea of rarity or infrequency, emphasizing the exceptional nature of certain events, behaviors, or divine interventions.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Divine Intervention and Miracles: In the biblical narrative, miracles are events that occur seldom, highlighting their extraordinary nature. For instance, the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) and the resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:5-6) are unique events that underscore God's power and purpose. These miracles are not everyday occurrences but are significant acts that reveal God's sovereignty and plan.

2. Wisdom Literature: The Book of Proverbs often contrasts the common with the rare to impart wisdom. Proverbs 25:17 advises, "Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you." This proverb uses the concept of rarity to teach about maintaining healthy boundaries and relationships, suggesting that infrequent visits can preserve goodwill and respect.

3. Human Behavior and Righteousness: The Bible acknowledges that true righteousness and godly living are seldom found among humanity due to the pervasive nature of sin. Romans 3:10 states, "There is no one righteous, not even one." This rarity of righteousness underscores the need for divine grace and redemption through Jesus Christ.

4. Prophetic Visions and Revelations: Prophetic visions are another example of seldom occurrences in the Bible. These revelations are given at specific times for particular purposes, such as the visions of Daniel (Daniel 7) or the revelation to John in the Book of Revelation. These instances are rare and serve to communicate God's message to His people.

5. Expressions of Gratitude and Worship: While worship is a regular practice for believers, the Bible records instances of profound gratitude and worship that are seldom seen in their intensity and sincerity. For example, the anointing of Jesus by Mary with expensive perfume (John 12:3) is a rare act of devotion that signifies deep love and reverence.

Theological Implications

The concept of "seldom" in the Bible often points to the extraordinary and the divine. It serves to highlight the contrast between the mundane and the miraculous, the common and the holy. This rarity calls believers to recognize and appreciate the unique moments of God's intervention and to strive for the seldom-seen righteousness that reflects His character. The infrequent nature of certain biblical events and behaviors invites reflection on the importance of living a life that is set apart, marked by the rare qualities of holiness, wisdom, and devotion.(a.) Rare; infrequent.422. anepaischuntos -- not to be put to shame
... [422 () is a rare word and "very seldom occurs in the ancient world. It does not
appear in classical Greek at all" ().]. Word Origin from alpha (as a neg. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/422.htm - 7k

Not Seldom, Clad in Radiant Vest,
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCLXV Not seldom, clad in radiant vest,.
Deceitfully goes forth the Morn; Not seldom Evening in the west. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cclxv not seldom clad in.htm

Which is Chaste Love; and How in Some Creatures Such Sensible ...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE FIFTIETH CHAPTER Which is chaste love; and how in some creatures
such sensible comforts be but seldom, and in some right oft. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the fiftieth chapter.htm

It is Wonderfully Astonishing, that You Men of Learning Seldom ...
... [Way-1-39] It is wonderfully astonishing, that you men of learning seldom
come thus far? It is wonderfully astonishing, that you ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-39 it is wonderfully astonishing.htm

As Ambrose was Occupied with Business and Study, Augustin could ...
... Book VI. Chapter III."As Ambrose Was Occupied with Business and Study, Augustin
Could Seldom Consult Him Concerning the Holy Scriptures. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iii as ambrose was occupied.htm

That Some May not Come to Feel the Perfection of this Work but in ...
... think this matter so hard and so fearful, that they say it may not be come to without
much strong travail coming before, nor conceived but seldom, and that but ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the one and 6.htm

That a Worker in this Work Should not Deem nor Think of Another ...
... hereby mayest thou see that he that may not come for to see and feel the perfection
of this work but by long travail, and yet is it but seldom, may lightly be ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the two and 6.htm

The Extent of Messiah's Spiritual Kingdom
... steps by which He is carrying forward His design, are, for the most part, remote
from the common apprehensions of mankind; and, therefore, seldom engage their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxxvii the extent of.htm

Mortifications Divided Into: 1...
... Sec. 6, 7, 8, 9. Extraordinary or supernumerary mortifications are not to be assumed
without great advice. They are seldom allowed in the rule of St. Benedict. ...
/.../chapter v mortifications divided into .htm

Strong Souls.
... It is not complimentary to human nature to note that perfectly healthy people, whom
nothing tries and who are ignorant of pain, are seldom tolerant, tender ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beard/strong souls/strong souls.htm

The Fountain of Grace.
... You seldom go into a church without hearing the word mentioned. You seldom
read any part of the New Testament, especially the Epistles ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter i the fountain of.htm

Seldom (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Seldom (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 25:17 Let your foot be
seldom in your neighbor's house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you. ...
/s/seldom.htm - 6k

Rare (8 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Not frequent; seldom met with or occurring; unusual; as, a
rare event. 4. (superl.) of an uncommon nature; unusually ...
/r/rare.htm - 9k

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)
... As under the political pressure of that time the office of high priest could seldom
be retained until the death of the holder, there might even be several ...
/s/sodomite.htm - 101k

Burial (25 Occurrences)
... frequently either natural caverns or artificial excavations formed in the sides
of rocks (Genesis 23:9; Matthew 27:60); and coffins were seldom used, unless ...
/b/burial.htm - 42k

Select (13 Occurrences)

/s/select.htm - 10k

Priesthood (30 Occurrences)
... As under the political pressure of that time the office of high priest could seldom
be retained until the death of the holder, there might even be several ...
/p/priesthood.htm - 40k

Fall (522 Occurrences)
... 2. Genesis 3 in the Old and the New Testaments: It is indeed remarkable how very
seldom the Old Testament refers to this history of the Fall. ...
/f/fall.htm - 62k

Unfrequented (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Rarely visited; seldom or never resorted to by human
beings; as, an unfrequented place or forest. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/u/unfrequented.htm - 7k

Often (74 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Frequently; many times; not seldom. 2. (a.)
Frequent; common; repeated. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OFTEN. ...
/o/often.htm - 29k

Language (112 Occurrences)
... In the department of lexicography it has thrown light not only on many a word used
but once in the Bible or too seldom for usage alone to determine its meaning ...
/l/language.htm - 101k

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